Dundee won the Tayside derby but were made to fight all the way by a stubborn Dundee United side.
Craig Easton was yellow carded with only four minutes played for a late tackle on Georgi Nemsadze.
With 11 minutes played Dundee went 1-0 up when Steve Lovell broke from midfield and played the ball to Nacho Novo on the right and the SpaniardÂ’s cross into the penalty area was met by Fabian Caballero, who headed home from six yards.
Three minutes later only a brilliant save by Paul Gallacher prevented Lee Wilkie doubling the home teamÂ’s lead.
Midway through the first half Jim McIntyre headed Easton's cross just over the crossbar and moments later Novo fired just wide at the other end.
With half an hour gone the home team went 2-0 up when CaballeroÂ’s shot from ten yards took a wicked deflection off David McCracken and flew past Gallacher, giving the keeper no chance.
Ten minutes into the second half Dundee increased their lead when Jonay Hernandez fired home from 12 yards after Nemsadze had robbed Charlie Miller in midfield.
Midway through the second half United pulled a goal back when a cross into the box was headed down by Jim Lauchlan and Jim Hamilton was on hand to score from close range.
Lovell had a header from Novo's cross easily saved by Gallacher with eight minutes remaining.
A minute later United reduced Dundee's lead to one when McIntyre collected the ball 18 yards from goal and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner.
One minute into time added on Hamilton had a excellent opportunity to grab the equaliser, but from three yards out he headed straight at Julian Speroni and Dundee held on for all three points